MLB on Zito's glove: Fix it or nix it

Published 4:00 am, Thursday, April 5, 2007

The criminal nature of Barry Zito's glove finally caught up with him. The commissioner's office, having photographed Zito's new burgundy Rawlings model in spring training, has examined the pictures and ruled the glove is illegal because of tan stitching that could distract hitters.

The order came down to change the stitching, so clubhouse manager Mike Murphy spent a good chunk of Wednesday replacing the tan with black.

"They said they would have to confiscate it (if I didn't fix it)," Zito said. "Can you believe that?"

Zito has more pressing concerns. One is getting off to a better start than he normally does. His career ERA in April through 2006 was 5.04, far worse than his second-highest month of June (3.80). Last year, his April ERA was 5.93. He then rebounded for a 1.32 May.

Zito is aware of this anomaly and believes it stems from allowing himself to get beaten around in his first few starts before he switches on the internal pressure valve that forces him to pitch more urgently.

"For me, it's all mental," he said. "Sometimes I've had a history of putting myself in a bit of a hole, so then the pressure is really on my butt to get out of it. It's not a good way to live.

"You just want to create that pressure from the beginning, and not like my ERA is 61/2 and I better pitch my butt off to save my year. That's the way it's been like the last couple of years. Don't wait for the damage to be done. You can look at it in the context of the game, too. You can go out there like you're down four runs right now. The jam starts now, first inning, first pitch."

Zito said he took that attitude into his Opening Day start and pitched that way, even if the results (three runs -- two earned -- in five innings) did not reflect it.

Durham's legs: The Giants could point to one positive from Tuesday's season-opening debacle. Second baseman Ray Durham saved two hits with diving stops to his forehand side. Range always has been an issue for Durham, particularly to his backhand side. He believes the extra strength work he has done on his legs has helped him defensively.

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"I feel laterally I'm a little better," he said. "It's the way my legs are feeling. If your legs are doing well, you can do the things you want to do. You're definitely a different player."

Briefly: The Giants held a pregame meeting to discuss team rules. Judging from the page count of the written version, there will be many. Manager Bruce Bochy held a meeting with veteran players during spring training to formulate them. ... USF will host Santa Clara in the second Dante Benedetti Classic at China Basin at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Dual tickets for that game and the 7:15 p.m. Dodgers-Giants game are available for $40 through USF or sfgiants.com.

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